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Mid-Century Modern Furniture

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: Early 1900s
Vintage Ceramic Oval Pot Hand Painted . Import From Holland.
Located in Seattle, WA
Traditional floral design atop this unique ceramic piece.Makers mark on the bottom stating that was made in Holland. Made in the Early 1900s. Hand Painted. Vintage Condition Consiste...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

French wooden bench in solid wood, ca 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / bench / wood / rustic / mid-century / france Handsome rustic wooden bench in solid wood, made in France around 1900. The bench features a thick solid top supported b...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Faience Vases Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of French Faience Vases Circa 1900. Decorated with leaves on the top , coat of arms on the base.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Faience

Vintage Hand Painted Ceramic Pot. Imported From Holland.
Located in Seattle, WA
Traditional design atop this unique ceramic piece. Makers mark on the bottom,stating that was made in Holland. Made in the early 1900s. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictu...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Ceramic Hand Painted Bowl Imported From Holland. Circ 1903
Located in Seattle, WA
Traditional design atop this unique ceramic piece. Makers mark on the bottom, stating that was made in Holland. Circa 1903. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimens...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Minimalist Antique Woolen Namad Felt, 19th Century - Afghanistan
Located in Renens, CH
For millennia, Central Asian nomads relied on age-old designs. Felt, prized for its insulation and portability, featured prominently in their lives until its decline a few decades ag...
Category

Early 1900s Afghan Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Felt

Floor Lamp by Alban Chambon, 1900s
Located in Brussels, BE
Floor Lamp by Alban Chambon, 1900s
Category

Early 1900s Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Art Nouveau Era Vase With Feminine Figurine Sculpture and Floral Motif.
Located in Seattle, WA
This Vase has gorgeous Petina around the female sculpture. It gives the illusion that she is climbing up the vines that wrap around the vase. Possibly early 1900s. Marble or stone ba...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Wooden Church Console, 1900s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This authentic French wooden church console from 1900 is a unique piece that adds a touch of French elegance to your interior. With its graceful details ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Art Nouveau V. Ducrot Restored Inlaid and Carved Wood Table 1900 Italy
Located in Palermo, IT
Prestigious rectangular wooden table, restored, in Art Nouveau with carved floral decorations, with veneer and inlays on the top. Officine Ducrot manufacturing, by Vittorio Ducrot, I...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Decorated Vietri Ceramic Dish, Napoli, Italy 1900ca
Located in Naples, IT
Large plate, glazed and painted terracotta centrepiece tray decorated in polychrome with landscape. Vietri sul Mare (Salerno), - early 20th century
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Rosewood & Smoked Glass Coffee Table by Henning Nørgaard, Denmark, c. 1960's
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare floating top coffee table designed by Henning Nørgaard for Komfort of Denmark that is as iconic as it is architecturally fascinating. Constructed from solid Brazi...
Category

Early 1900s Danish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

Early 1900s Vintage Heavy Cast Iron Bar Stools- a Pair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage cast iron swivel bar stools were designed and manufactured in the United States during the 1900s. The stools are absolutely gorgeous, featuring a sturdy iron frame that exude...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Set of 4 Thonet bent beech chairs, Austria, early 1900s
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 4 Thonet bent beech chairs, Austria, early 1900s It is a classic but very elegant model of chairs, made with the famous technique of bending beech using water vapor. An icon ...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Bentwood

Sartorial sleeve year 1950
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Beautiful Sartorial SLEEVE, Year 1950. The structure is made of wood and covered with papier-mâché. Externally it was covered with pieces of advertising newspapers from the year 195...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

MANICHINO Year 1950
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
BEAUTIFUL HANDBAG, Year 1950. Fantastic paper-covered plaster mannequin, all original. Complete with wooden arms without hands and fixed on an iron base. The price of shipping is ...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Gesso

Italian Ceramic Red Bowl by Porcellane Canova Padova Italia
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Porcellane Canova is a well-known Italian porcelain manufacturer based in Padova, Italy. They specialize in creating high-quality porcelain and ceramic products, including tableware,...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Centrotavola in Cristallo di Lalique, Francia XX secolo
Located in Milano, IT
Centrotavola in cristallo satinato con motivo a roselline in rilievo. Sotto la base marchio della manifattura.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Wicker Sitting Room, 20th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Wicker sitting room consisting of pair of rocking chairs, magazine rack, two side tables and cart, the latter three with glass tops. Product that due to age and wear requires re-poli...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Glass

Original New Old Stock Circa 1900 Liberty's London Marionette String Puppet
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare, new old stock Liberty's London Marionette string puppet A lovely example and a great size, it is ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pine, Oak

3 cast iron urns Sweden circa 1900
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautifull set of 3 cast iron urns Sweden circa 1900 High quality heavy
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Restored Aesthetic Movement Tiger Tortoise Bamboo Pedestal Side Table
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian tiger bamboo pedestal side table with rice mat top and a secondary bottom shelf usually used for a potted plant. bamboo furniture...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Organic Material

19th Century Big Size Gold Leaf Sunburst Mirror
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
19th Century Big Size Gold Leaf Sunburst Mirror.
Category

Early 1900s Mexican Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Modern Gabbeh Square Oriental Carpet, Primitive Qashqai Wool Rug CHR67
Located in Hampshire, GB
This simple yet grand area rug has been hand-woven with Beige and orange tones. The simple design shows a gridded linear pattern with diamond motifs central to each square. On the bo...
Category

Early 1900s Caucasian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Organic Material, Cotton

Draped Stone Sculpture, France 1900s
Located in Chicago, IL
A hand carved antique draped stone sculpture with a beautiful patina. Unmarked. Sourced in France, early 1900s.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stone

Restored Arch Leg Two-Tier Rattan Side Lamp Table
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Arch leg rattan side table with two-tier Formica tops. 1950, United States We only purchase and sell only the best and finest rattan furniture made by th...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Ancient 2 Lights Wall Lamp '900 Murano Glass Colored and Blown
Located in Milano, IT
Two-light wall sconce with blown and coloured glass arms and bobeches. Italy 20th century.
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Austrian Designer, Wall Mirror, Bentwood, Austria, circa 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A bentwood wall mirror designed and produced by an Austrian Designer, Austria, 1900s.
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann a “Flower Basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906
Located in Brussels, BE
Josef Hoffmann a “flower basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906.
Category

Early 1900s Hungarian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Cartier Sterling Silver Thermos, Branded
Located in Milano, IT
Superb thermos designed and produced by Cartier in the early 1900s, hallmarked. The thermos is made entirely of 925 sterling silver. The thermos is cylindrical in shape, the base is ...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver

1904 Rare Thonet Coat Rack no.21, Austria
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished and finished by shellac
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Display Cabinet or Store Fitting Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
This was most likely an old turn of the century French store fitting or display cabinet. Our old plank restoration department thoroughly restored the ca...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

French Black Decorated Cloisonné Vase
Located in Milano, IT
A beautiful decorated French cloisonné vase belonging to the 1900s, of fine French manufacture. The vase has a smaller but round base bordered in gold. The vase then widens to take a...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 4 Traditional Wooden Pastoral Primitive Carved Fork and Spoon
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional pastoral primitive set of wooden carved fork and spoons. Handmade in Spain, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent...
Category

Early 1900s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Tall Wrought Iron Andirons showing a Snail
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of tall andirons showing a snaill is made of wrought iron. This is an exceptional wrought iron work. This is a French work in the style of Edou...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Traditional Wooden Pastoral Primitive Hand Carved Fork
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional pastoral primitive wooden carved fork. Handmade in Spain, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use,...
Category

Early 1900s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

V&B Villeroy and Boch Mettlach 1 Liter Beer Stein Lidded Antique Germany 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful beer stein has been made in Germany circa 1900s by the well known manufacturer Villeroy & Boch. Absolutely gorgeous piece and still in great condition. Lid works properly. A nice addition to any collection. The Villeroy & Boch ceramic company was founded in 1836 in Mettlach, Germany and is internationally known for their production of table wares. Marked at the Base with Logo and Number. It is a 1 Liter...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Bench, Painted Iron, France, circa 1900
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Bench, Painted iron in the shape of bamboo, Back and seat in iron lattice, Original lacquer, wear consistent with age and use, France, circa 1900. Measures: 120 x 55 x 87 cm.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Dancing Couple V&B Villeroy and Boch Mettlach Beer Stein Lidded Antique Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful beer stein has been made in Germany circa 1900s by the well known manufacturer Villeroy & Boch. Absolutely gorgeous piece and still in great condition. Lid works prope...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Vintage Nightstands with Mirror in Wood and Green Alps Marble
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful pair of bedside tables in wood and marble made at the beginning of 900, of fine Italian manufacture. The nightstands have a structure made entirely of wood, with soft and ...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Rare Original Jazz Poster of King Oliver '1885-1938' by Swierzy
Located in Praha, CZ
ONE OF THE GREAT JAZZ PLAYERS - This Framed Poster is believed to be a 1st Edition and is Very Rare. It is signed with a copyright mark and IS NOT A REPRO...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Italian Early Twentieth Century solid Wood Frames, ebanized, 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian early twentieth century solid wood frames ebanized, 1900s Beautiful and very rare carved wooden frames of different sizes from the early twentieth century. This frame are h...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Traditional Wooden Pastoral Primitive Carved Cowbell Support
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional pastoral primitive carved wood cowbell support. Handmade in Spain, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beau...
Category

Early 1900s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-19th Century Glass Bottle with Metal Cap
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-19th century glass bottle with metal cap. By unknown manufacturer from France. In original condition, with minor wear consistent w...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Antique Germany Lidded Character Beer Stein Munich Child, E. Bohne Germany 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous Character Beer Stein - Munich Child. This character beer stein has been made in Germany circa 1900s by E. Bohne, Thuringia Germany. Absolutely gorgeous piece hand painted ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Early 20th Century Traditional Wooden Pastoral Primitive Carved Cowbell Support
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional pastoral primitive carved wood cowbell support. Handmade in Spain, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beau...
Category

Early 1900s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Armchair in Gilt Wood and Blue Velvet
Located in Milano, IT
Eccentric antique giltwood and velvet armchair from the late 1800s and early 1900s, fine Italian manufacture. The armchair has a frame made entirely of curved gilt wood, very elegan...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Early 20th Century Antique Glass Large Funnel
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique Spanish glass funnel. Made by unknown manufacturer, Spain, early 20th century. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age a...
Category

Early 1900s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Antique Germany Lidded Character Beer Stein Munich Child, E. Bohne Germany 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous Character Beer Stein - Munich Child. This character beer stein has been made in Germany circa 1900s by E. Bohne, Thuringia Germany. Absolutely gorgeous piece hand painted ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Planter by Hans Günther Reinstein for Vereinigte Möbelfabriken Germania, 1908
Located in Brussels, BE
Planter by Hans Günther Reinstein for Vereinigte Möbelfabriken Germania, Germany, 1908 This item is made out of Cardboard.
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Italian Modern Chromed Flared Plastic Floor Lamp, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed flared plastic floor lamp, 1990s Fantastic luminator lamp very decorative and big alluminium flared floor lamp, With plastic stru...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Early 20th Century Traditional Wooden Pastoral Primitive Carved Cowbell
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional pastoral primitive carved wood cowbell support. Handmade in Spain, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beau...
Category

Early 1900s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Göteborgs Guldlistfabrik, Wall Mirror, Stained Birch, Mirror, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch wall mirror produced by Göteborgs Guldlistfabrik, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Birch

Vintage Typographic Chest of Drawers in Wood, Original Label
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful wooden typographic chest of drawers with original label "La Xilografica Badia Polesine Fabbrica Caratteri Mobili Tipografici Legno" of the early '900. The typographic ches...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Secessionist Austro-Hungary Black Lacquered Wooden Shelf
Located in Brussels, BE
Secessionist Austro-Hungary black lacquered wooden shelf.
Category

Early 1900s Hungarian Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Hand Painted Ceramic Centerpiece
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful hand painted ceramic centerpiece made at the beginning of 900, of Chinese manufacture. The centerpiece has a circular shape and is totally made of red and white ceramic totally hand painted. It is composed by a central body useful as object holder, cookies or candies holder...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Oriental Rug Handmade Carpet Traditional Wool All Over Paisley Area Rug
Located in Hampshire, GB
Delicately woven by hand, this traditional area rug was constructed in the 1900s. Featuring a repeating pattern central design and decorative layered border. Woven with a sleek colou...
Category

Early 1900s Azerbaijani Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Organic Material, Natural Fiber, Wool

1950s Japanese Wabi-Sabi Sandy-Tan Tilted Asymmetric Porcelain Bud Vase MCM
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful asymmetrical footed bud vase reflecting the Wabi-Sabi tenants of intentional acceptance of natural imperfection.
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Knoll, Fabio Ltd, and J.T. Kalmar. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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